Tucked away at the end of the first-floor hallway of the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) at Port Ewen is the Level Up! program, a bustling hub for students to gain practical life and vocational skills. The room used by the program may be easy to overlook, but it’s the heart of a unique initiative designed to provide hands-on learning experiences for students with diverse needs. 

The program is run and supervised by teachers Rosie Pagana and Lauren Whitney, supported by a dedicated team of teaching assistants, all working to create a real-world work environment where students not only learn, but thrive.

Level Up! is more than just a classroom—it’s also a vibrant workspace where students manage tasks such as answering the phone and taking orders, reading recipes, gathering ingredients, preparing meals, delivering items to classrooms, and even making small repairs. “We want the students to mimic an actual workplace,” said Pagana. “Eventually, our goal is to have the students manage one another and take ownership of the entire process.” 

One of the program's highlights is the popular coffee cart, which students use to serve coffee and snacks to faculty throughout the day. For students like Ian, a fourth-year participant from the Onteora Central School District, this opportunity has been transformative. Initially hesitant and timid, Ian was reluctant to walk the halls alone or to take on new tasks. However, after just two weeks, he began confidently delivering coffee orders independently. In recognition of his progress, Ian was named Crew Member of the Week in early September. His growth demonstrates the program's success in helping students to step out of their comfort zones and embrace new challenges.

Christina Rutella, principal of the CITL at Port Ewen, is proud of the program’s impact. "Level Up! began to support students who struggled with attending other work programs due to anxiety or behavior challenges,” she said. “It keeps them engaged in school all day while offering valuable hands-on learning. As a first-year principal, I saw it as 'my baby'—and from improving attendance to adding a flock of chickens, the program has exceeded all expectations in preparing our Life Skills students for life beyond high school."

The program has grown in scope since its inception. Originally conceived as a simple life skills-training initiative, it now offers a wide array of services and activities, including small repairs, building and maintenance of the school's chicken coop (not to mention egg collecting), and arts and crafts projects. Recently, students repaired baseboards that a teacher had brought in from home. In addition to learning how to use tools they had never encountered before, the students discovered that they enjoyed hands-on work.

The program has gone through its share of growing pains, but with each passing month, it has gained momentum. “Last summer, I focused on organizing and streamlining our systems,” Pagana shared. “Now, students come in, sign in, look for their assignments, and get to work. We’re constantly working on making them more independent.”

Beyond the day-to-day tasks, the long-term goal is to help students parlay their newly acquired skills into internships or job opportunities. “We’re laying the groundwork for the future,” Whitney said. “Eventually, we’d love to see our students take what they’ve learned and apply it outside the school, whether that’s through community service or actual employment.”

The program also aims to build a stronger connection with the larger Ulster BOCES community. To that end, there are plans to open a school store that will utilize “BOCES bucks” (the school’s currency). Students will manage inventory, operate a cash register, and sell the products they create, like handmade T-shirts and work shirts. The program may eventually expand to other CITL schools, allowing older students from CITL at Port Ewen to teach and guide students in younger grades during hands-on activities, such as building gardens or creating crafts.

As the Level Up! program continues to evolve, its impact is undeniable. Students gain practical life skills, but more importantly, they gain confidence and a sense of belonging. “It’s inclusive,” Pagana emphasized. “We’re building something that serves the entire Ulster BOCES community, and there’s no reason it can’t grow even bigger.”

With a vision for the future and a solid foundation already in place, Level Up! is empowering students to reach new heights—one cup of coffee, one repair, and one project at a time.